Percepção de mulheres acerca do exame preventivo para o câncer de colo do útero.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a disease of slow and silent evolution, responsible for the high rate of female mortality in the world; it develops over a period of 10 to 20 years, with associated risk factors. Early detection is done through the Pap test. This study had the general objective of knowing the perception of women about the Pap smear, in the municipality of Cajazeiras, PB. The research is exploratory, with a qualitative approach. Data collection was carried out in May 2011, with a structured interview applied to a sample of 16 women. Data analysis took place through thematic analysis. The results showed that part of the interviewees was between 25 and 34 years old; they started their sexual life between the ages of 15 and 18 and were women who had, for the most part, incomplete elementary school II. Regarding Pap smears, seven of the women had never submitted themselves and nine had already undergone it. But out of fear, shame and not complaining, they didn't do it anymore. Furthermore, the information they received about the exam was insufficient and they had no precise information on how to proceed on the eve of the exam. Thus, the adherence of women to the Pap smear test is strictly linked to the lack of information regarding the importance of this test, making health education by health professionals necessary to the highlighted community, taking into account their culture and socio-economic aspects, in order to guarantee the quality of the screening program and information on the prevention of cervical cancer.